Kerry sharpens tax differences with Dean, Gephardt

[Karmadillo]

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2003/08/29/news/breaking_news/cb7957be0588f74486256d90007af68e.txt

DES MOINES -- Minutes after delivering his recipe for economic recovery, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry sharpened his tax disagreements with major rivals for the Democratic nomination.

Kerry's economic package, including $25 billion in aid to cash-strapped states, would be financed by repealing that portion of President Bush's tax cut going to the richest Americans.

In a conference call with Iowa reporters Thursday, Kerry swiped at former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Missouri Rep. Richard Gephardt. Both of them want to repeal all of the tax cut, including the portions going to middle-income families.

"I think it's pretty fundamental that real Democrats fought hard to put those tax cuts in place for average income earners," said Kerry. "I think it's a serious, very significant issue that some people just want to wipe those things out."

Particularly at issue are child care tax credits which were part of the package, as well as a measure wiping out a penalty where a married couple pays more in taxes than they would as two single people.

more...